May Wirth

May Emmeline Wirth (6 June 1894 – 18 October 1978) was an Australian circus and vaudeville performer[1] famous for her ability to do somersaults forwards and backwards on a running horse.

She was the daughter of a Mauritian circus artist, John Edward Zinga (Despoges) and Dezeppo Marie, née Beaumont.

[1] From age 10, Wirth began performing in balancing and equestrian shows in Melbourne and Sydney.

[6] When aged 19, during her second year in the United States, she suffered severe injuries while performing in Brooklyn after her horse shied and she was dragged around the ring when her foot became caught.

On 27 November 1919, Wirth married her manager, Frank White[1][2] who adopted her surname.